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Celebrate (more) women in your life!!

March 8th is International Women’s Day, and the maritime industry is embracing the recognition of women’s contributions and value with a vengeance! Not only has the IMO made “Empowering Women” their 2019 World Maritime Day theme (complete with a logo and video by Secretary General Kitack Lim) but some multinationals are creating policies prohibiting their executives from participating in industry events that do not demonstrate a commitment to diversity.

It should come as no surprise to you that I am heartily in favor of these efforts! Not only is the industry working towards satisfying Sustainable Development Goal 5, but research supports the notion that bringing more women on board increases profitability! So, by doing the right thing, companies benefit!

Why does the industry need to take a look at its diversity? Perhaps because we don’t reflect the global society which we serve. Perhaps because we need to take a new look at the way we do business—and diversity will help us in that effort. Perhaps because diversity brings new thinking into an industry that needs to evolve in order to be sustainable (remember: these are Sustainable Development Goals intended to lead us forward).

So, while in my diary EVERY day is Women’s Day, please take a moment on Friday to think about the women in your life—and how much richer your life is because of them!!

An Interview with

Mark Huang

Co-Founder & Managing Director
SeaAhead Bluetech Innovation

Propulsion

World’s First Hybrid Cruise Ship Completes Sea Trials

2019-02-25 – Hurtigruten’s cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen is nearing completion at Kleven Yard and has just completed her first sea trials in the fjords along the western coast of Norway. MS Roald Amundsen is hailed as the world’s first hybrid cruise ship. . . READ MORE

IMO Finalizes Sulfur Cap Consistency Guidelines Draft

Japan supports open-loop scrubbers

2019-02-28 – Japan supports that open-loop scrubbers’ water discharge does not damage the environment. In a presentation at IMO, the country concluded that open-looped scrubbers will not lead to to short or long term impacts on marine organisms. . . READ MORE

ING, EIB finance Spliethoff’s retrofit of scrubbers and BWMS

2019-03-01 – ING and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a EUR 110m loan agreement on February 28, to finance Spliethoff for the retrofitting of 42 vessels of its fleet with scrubbers and ballast water management systems. This will enable Spliethoff to comply with IMO and EU regulations on emissions. . . READ MORE

Blockchain

Oil majors launch first oil and gas blockchain consortium in US

2019-02-28 – A group of major oil and gas companies have joined forces to establish the first industry blockchain consortium in the United States. The move is aligned with the rising interest on blockchain technology for trade industry in recent years, as blockchain has been viewed by many as a solution to transactions inefficiencies, as well as a way to improve transparency and reduce the risk of fraud. . .READ MORE

Infographic: 9 challenges blockchain faces

2019-03-01 – In September and October 2018, BCG conducted an online survey concerning international companies in the T&L industry in order to assess their understanding of blockchain and their progress in adopting the technology. In order to acknowledge the promise of blockchain, T&L stakeholders must collaborate to develop an ecosystem that forges trust and creates mutual benefits across the value chain. . . READ MORE

2019-03-01 – Partnerships and collaborations among players in the T&L value chain, including competitors, are needed to provide the foundation for the ecosystem. Many collaborations, such as Ocean Alliance and Yang Ming or Modern Terminals and TradeLens highlight the importance of partnership in order to achieve efficient operations. As the blockchain provides many advantages to the transportation and logistics, the data offered results to the equivalent value proposition. . . READ MORE

Digitalization

Singapore takes the lead in promoting e-bills of lading

2019-03-05 – Singapore authorities are amending existing legislation to ensure the republic remains at the forefront of the digitalisation of global trade. A pilot initiative starting later this year will turn paper-based bills of lading into electronic ones with politicians set to make relevant changes to the nation’s Electronic Transactions Act to recognise e-bills of lading. . . READ MORE

Watch: Maritime unprepared for three emerging technologies in next 10 years

2019-03-04 – The maritime industry feels unprepared for digitalization was the main finding of Global Maritime Issues Monitor 2018 report, launched in conjunction with the Forum’s Annual Summit in Hong Kong in October 2018. The survey shows that ‘big data’, ‘blockchain technology’ and the ‘Internet of Things’ are expected to have the most significant impact on the sector in the next ten years. . . READ MORE

Maritime Heritage

IMO: The vital role education will play in determining shipping’s future

2019-03-05 – Ahead of his keynote speaking slot at next week’s World Congress on Maritime Heritage in Singapore, Kitack Lim, secretary-general of the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO), takes some time out of his busy schedule to speak with Maritime CEO on the issue of education. . . READ MORE